RONNY DEILA has a big decision to make tonight ahead of Celtic’s Europa League tie against Fernabache.
With Emilio Izaguirre seeing red last time out against Ajax and obvious alternative Charlie Mulgrew still out with an injury there are very little choices left for the Celtic manager in the left back position.
There are two options available to the Norwegian – Kieran Tierney or Tyler Blackett.
Keiran who recently signed a new 4-year-deal with the club is a natural left back and plays in well to Ronny’s attacking philosophy, the youngster likes to get forward and whip in balls for his teammates. However he is still very raw and to throw him into such a high profile game could halt his progress. If the bhoy plays and has a nightmare his confidence will take a severe beating. However, if he plays and he puts in a solid performance it will only enhance his growing reputation.
Tyler Blackett is in the same boat as Tierney when it comes to first team game time. He’s not seen much in the way of first team football at Manchester Utd and now at Celtic. The 21-Year-old needs to gain more experience and maybe now is the time to see what he’s made of. However, for me, he’s not a left back by any stretch of the imagination. Having played there once already for Celtic he looked uncomfortable and off the pace. That may be down to his lack of game time or fitness but he centre back seems to be his preferred position. If he plays tonight at left back ahead of one of our own youngsters and gets it wrong you will be sure Ronny will get the brunt end of the decision.
I think Tierney should start tonight for Celtic and let the bhoy show us what he’s made of. Experience against top class opposition can only be beneficial to a player learning his craft. Ideally we would have ore experience at the back but if it’s not available then you have to look to your youth system and if you can’t then well what is the point in it?
